Service Animals and Athletics
Service animals employed by a student athlete are afforded the same allowances and are subject to the same regulations as other public spaces. When actively engaged in providing a service, the animal is permitted in all areas as their owner, provided the safety and wellbeing for both the animal and the owner are assured.
In this way, any athlete employing a service animal is permitted to bring their animal into any space that they themselves are permitted so long as the animal is actively providing the service. Since presence on an athletic field could lead to injury for the animal and others, animals are generally not allowed on an active field during a game. When not performing a service, a service animal would be subject to any policy regarding animals in that space. If an athletic venue otherwise does not permit animals, the student would be responsible for securing/housing their animal elsewhere, in a space where animals are generally permitted and the service animal’s safety and wellbeing is assured, the moment the animal stops providing its service. Any space where a service animal is housed when not performing their duty must allow for non-service animals to reside there (e.g., a ‘pet friendly’ hotel). The owner of the animal is solely responsible for the animal’s wellbeing (providing nourishment/housing/care, etc.).
In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing for all parties, any student who wishes to bring a service animal to away games must schedule a meeting with their coach at least 30 days prior to be beginning of the season and create a separate Service Animal Support Plan for each game to which they are planning to bring their service animal. All Service Animal Support Plans must be completed and signed by the student and submitted to the Director of Athletics as well as the Director of Accessibility Services for approval. The student is responsible for covering any additional fees that may be incurred in enacting the Service Animal Support Plan. Due to the complexities of providing care and housing at each away venue, Athletics may deny a student’s request to bring a service animal if a Service Animal Support Plan has not been completed prior to the scheduling of the away game (booking hotels, etc.).
If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Accessibility Services at accessibilityservices@curry.edu or (617) 333-2385.
